2 Disc Special Edition DVD

Rent, the show that in 1996 gave voice to a Broadway generation, has finally become an energetic, passionate, and touching movie musical. Nearly 10 years after the show debuted on Broadway, six of the eight principals return in the roles they originated. Based loosely on Puccini's La Boheme, it focuses on the year in the life of a group of friends in New York's East Village--"bohemians" who live carefree lives of art, music, sex, and drugs. Well, carefree until Mark, an aspiring filmmaker (Anthony Rapp), and Roger, an aspiring songwriter (Adam Pascal), find out they owe a year's rent to Benny (Taye Diggs), a former friend who had promised them free residence when he married the landlord's daughter. Roger has also attracted the attention of his downstairs neighbor, Mimi (Rosario Dawson), while Mark's former girlfriend, Maureen (Idina Menzel), has found a new romance in a lawyer named Joanne (Tracie Thoms). Philosophy professor Tom (Jesse L. Martin) finds his soul mate in drag queen Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia). But because this is the late-'80s, the threat of AIDS is always present.- David Horiuchi Special Features Include: Deleted scenes and Cut Musical Performances; "Halloween," and "Goodbye Love", Alternate Ending; "No Day But Today". Optional Commentary by Director Chris Columbus, Anthony Rapp, and Adam Pascal. A Two-hour Documentary; "No Day But Today" Featuring Video Clips, Still Photographs, and Interviews with Family and Friends of Creator Jonathan Larson, Making of the Film, Actor Interviews, Recording Sessions, and Location Shooting.Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen, 135 minutes, PG-13.